Photography Portfolio

Phillip Powell talks to parents and teachers outside the Oglethorpe County School District on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Lexington, Georgia. Powell was announced as the superintendent search finalist and is to begin on July 1. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Tre Phelps (1) slides into second base during a baseball game against Troy University at Foley Field on Wed. Feb. 25, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. Troy beat Georgia 6-5 in the 12th inning, giving Georgia their second loss of the season. (Photo/Sydney Shankman, sydneyshankman@gmail.com)

Zion Pass runs with the ball at the Oglethorpe Patriots vs. the Athens Academy Spartans game in Oglethorpe County on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. The final score of the game was Spartans 43, Patriots 21. (Photo/ Sydney Shankman) 

Lee Johnston waits on his horse before roping cattle on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Putnam County, Georgia. Roping is used to move cattle from one pasture to another. (Photo/Sydney Shankman, sydneyshankman@gmail.com)

Jackson Embry tends to the bulls at Embry Farm Service in Putnam County, Georgia, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Embry graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2024 and returned home to learn how to run the family business. (Photo/Sydney Shankman, sydneyshankman@gmail.com) 

Anika Roman, Poe Roman and Faith Roman sit on a curb at Athens PrideFest in downtown Athens, Ga., on Saturday, June 7, 2025. "These are my babies," said Anika Roman. (Photo/ Sydney Shankman) 

Photos from the Georgia National Fair on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Perry, Georgia. One of the largest fairs in the state, the Georgia National Fair brought in over 500,000 attendees in 2024. (Photo/Sydney Shankman) 

Upton Satterfield and his sister Anne Marie Satterfield ride the Wacky Mouse on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia.  One of the largest fairs in the state, the Georgia National Fair brought in over 500,000 attendees in 2024. (Photo/Sydney Shankman) 

People wait in line for lemonade before the July Fourth Plus One fireworks display in Canton, North Carolina, on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Residents of Haywood County were invited to enjoy food trucks, a DJ and other Independence Day activities.  (Photo/Sydney Shankman, sydneyshankman@gmail.com) 

A woman hands out roses during a demonstration protesting the Iranian government on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. Attached to each rose is a photo of a deceased Iranian citizen and information about the events occurring in the country. (Photo/Sydney Shankman, sydneyshankman@gmail.com)

A demonstrator waves the flag of Iran and holds a sign during a demonstration protesting the Iranian government on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. Members of the Athens community came to show their support for the people of Iran following unrest in the country. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Photos of dioramas made by Sydney Shankman on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Athens, Georgia. Materials include a miniature pumpkin, air-dry clay, tennis shoes, felt, a mason jar, rocks and model animals. (Photo/Sydney Shankman) 

Photos of dioramas made by Sydney Shankman on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Athens, Georgia. Materials include a miniature pumpkin, air-dry clay, tennis shoes, felt, a mason jar, rocks and model animals. (Photo/Sydney Shankman) 

North Oconee's Taylor Dillard (red headband) celebrates with teammates Kallie Mashburn, left, and Lexi Favreau during the flag football Division 3 championship match between Whitewater and North Oconee in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. North Oconee won the championship game, 31-6. (Sydney Shankman for the AJC)

Coehen Rusin defends against Georgia Gwinnett's captain Alejandro Contrera during a soccer match between the Bellevue University Bruins and the Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies during the  Continental Athletic Conference Championship at Georgia Gwinnett College's Grizzly Soccer Complex in Lawrenceville, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies took home the championship title with a score of 3-0. (Photo/Sydney SHankman, sydneyshankman@gmail.com)